Saturday, 10 August 2013

Glad that I live am I

This, some of you may remember, is a little fabric book I made years ago, using my own hand-dyed fabrics, and ink-jet printing on fabric. It contains the words of a childhood hymn, written by Lizette W. Reese (1856 -1935) I always thought it came from St Francis of Assisi but that's not correct. The words of this hymn came spontaneously to mind the other morning, for no particular reason. It made me think of all the words we use for 'gladness' - gratitude, thankfulness, appreciation ....perhaps you can come up with some more. This led me on to think about other Bloggers who periodically include in their posts a short list of 'things to be grateful for'. I think it's a salutary practise to acknowledge the things in life that we appreciate, on a regular basis. So that is what this post is about. Of course, the 'givens' are family and friends, reasonably good health and a comfortable standard of living, but other events and material things come along for which I may not regularly express my gratitude. So here goes.

First up is this lovely little collection:

Ceramic buttons! Made by clever Cathy Daniels at Potter Jotter blog. They arrived the day I got back from Burwell, and they are Sooooooo gorgeous. Look at the detail on the two below -

The foot, I think, was a little joke recalling the operation I had last year - Cathy you should have put a bandage on it! They are fab, and I am really grateful for them and for your kindness, Cathy!

Ooops, slightly out of order...but you know how it goes. Other things I am grateful for can be found in the garden .........

The hollyhocks are popping up all over the place, beautiful colours. And on the veggie side, though it has been poorer than usual crop-wise, we have had some brilliant courgettes - and I know others have noticed the same in their gardens too. This is just one small patch, there are more in the greenhouse and more in the main veggie-patch.

And a major thing I am appreciating at the moment, is our new little caravan being at its new home in Wales. Look at the site, isn't it wonderful? Jim said the scenery is breathtaking.

Here we are, at a temporary spot, we'll be moving to another plot in a week or two.

Loving the greenery and the spaciousness of it all.

And how's that for a view each morning? Whichever way you turn there are mountains and trees.

And this is the reception centre on the side of the farmhouse. I'm really looking forward to going across and spending a few days there. Who'd have thought - me in a caravan!

And I especially appreciate No. 1 Son, who towed the van most of the way to Wales and taught his dad how to do it safely. I know Jim was quite anxious about the thought of doing this on his own, but now he feels a lot more confident. Thanks Mike for taking the time to help the Old Man out and put your Ma's mind at rest!

So there you are. Perhaps I should add my thanks and gratitude to all my Burwell Bash friends who made the week so enjoyable. So many things to appreciate. And thank you for reading my blog!

20 comments:

Oh Lynne, what a lovely set of buttons !Of course your garden gives you pleasure !!!(and lots of veggies ;-) !)Not a "room" but "a caravan" with a (wonderful) view(but no, not me, and certainly not driving with one !!!!)

Hello Els, you have no idea just how much caravanning is NOT me! But, this little van has provided a solution to a conundrum we have been wrestling with for some time; how could Jim fish some beautiful rivers instead of the same old ponds and reservoirs here in Norfolk, without it costing him a bomb, and time to ravel all the time, and how, if he is fishing away, do we get to spend the all important time together when we have such busy, involved and interesting lives as individuals? This just fit the bill. Jim gets to fish a wonderful river, I am happy to spend time on my own doing stuff I enjoy but meet up with him when he stops fishing, and days when he doesn't fish we can explore and enjoy the surrounding area. Win-win I think is the expression! Lx

How lovely a caravan! And in such a beautiful spot, lots to be grateful for there Lynne. I've been thinking along the same lines after meeting up with some past colleagues yesterday, really got me thinking how grateful I am not to be in that line of work anymore! :) x

I am thankful for being retired, for having left the NHS before yet another round of divisive, destabilising and ineffectual changes which my ex-colleagues are being forced into. Each time I meet someone they say 'you got out just at the right time' - a terrible indictment on a career I loved at one time.

So I'm lucky to be fortunate enough to have put all that behind me - deep joy! And you Ada, if not retired, have put distance between you and somewhere you did not wish to be! Another win-win! Lx

I am thankful for my wonderful other half who has had to put up with more than the majority of husbands and even when new things come along to be dealt with, he does so calmly and allows me my rants. He and the roof over my head, the ability to be able to read and think and take care of myself if needs be, are all I have to be grateful for. The rest are inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.

well done you - i think we are all lucky to have lots to be thankful for - my husband loves walking (we both used to but sadly i am unable to walk far these days with arthritus) - can't spell - sorry!!!! your caravan looks great and in perfect surroundings - enjoy!!!!!! i love your handmade book - did you really put fabric through your printer though? i've not heard of that!!! take care xx

Hello Lynne, I certainly will - looking forward to getting across to Wales.

Lynne I have posted in quite some detail about how to get images onto fabric using your computers printer. If you search back in the archive - probably last year - you'll find a couple of posts about it. Perfectly safe to do if you are careful about cutting any little wisps of thread off the edges. HAve a look. Loads of fun. Lx

Oh You!! What a lovely post. Your spot in Wales looks like a little piece of heaven - who could fail to appreciate that! We all have so much to be thankful for really; what a great post to read at the beginning of the first day of a new week whilst having my croissant and coffee! xCathy

Lovely topic Lynne and I am most grateful for so much in my life. Most of all that my little grandee in Germany is successfully through her cancer treatmen and doing well. May it ever stay that way. My only problem is that I never have enough time for all the lovely things I want to do but I just make the most of every minute as it's no good moaning. You too enjoy every minute of your's and that's quite apparent.Bet you can't wait to get to the caravan but it's way far from home, isn't it? What a beautiful spot it is though!Did you see this post of the Mersey Morris men, included especially for you whilst you were at Burbage?http://jozartdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/woyww-and-image-transfers.htmlJo xI'm in Abakhan on Friday if you know what felt you need.... just let me know.

Jo, what kind if felt is it? Some craft felt is very thin and a bit harsh, I like the very wooly stuff. If they have it then I'd love some black and some green.....soft green if they have it. I think I should goto the site perhaps.....I'll get back to you. Oh and I will have a look at that post...I am all over the place with reading blogs! I'll be back! Lx

They have all kinds of felt....of different weights and quality, squares,... off the roll,... offcuts, and also lengths sold by weight...It won't tell you about all the options on the site. They also sell green baize if ever you need it. It's an amazing shop. Abakhan are sponsoring me for LillyBo Quilts project so I go in weekly to dem patchwork and to promote the CHICS children's cancer care people and the project. 5 more weeks to go! It's lovely and I've had such a good response and everyone has been so lovely.Jo x

Oh wow, what you are doing is fantastic, good for you. I think I'd better leave the felt (left a comment on your blog) this time as I lie to see (and feel!) what I'm getting. But big thanks all the same. Lxxx

I'd love you to comment, maybe join in the conversation - I always try and reply if I can.Anonymous spammers take note: you will not be published. Genuine posters having difficulty will be accepted. Thanks so much for visiting!

Follow by Email

About me

Recently retired from my Health Visiting career, prior to that I was a paediatric nurse. I live with my husband J in our little cottage in West Norfolk. We have two sons and five grandchildren and several colonies of bloomin' rooks around the garden! I've been a quilter for about 18 years, and enjoy many forms of stitching.I also love all kinds of music, but particularly enjoy playing fiddle for the OUse Washes Molly dance side, and in local sessions; I'm currently also learning to play my beautiful melodeon - deep joy! Join me in my blog rambles about textiles and anything else which happens to be tickling my fancy at the moment!